The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides small businesses access to resources such as training, business counseling, access to capital, and more. Most resources are provided free of charge. SBA’s Veteran Small Business Certification Program (VetCert) allows service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs) the opportunity to compete for federal sole-source and set-aside contracts across the federal government. Certified veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs) may also compete for sole-source and set- aside contracts from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

VETCERT UPDATES

1. The one-year self-certification grace period ending December 31, 2023 is over for sole source and set aside self-certification.
2. Advanced search features with multiple filters are available now. Visit SBA’s dynamic small business search (DSBS). Veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small business certifications are listed under the “Government Certifications” section of the DSBS main search page.
3. VetCert webinars conducted on 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month @ 2:00 p.m. ET.
4. The 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) will now require SDVOSB goaling and subcontracting credit to be VetCert qualified. Self-certification for goaling and subcontracting purposes will be allowed until December 22, 2024.
5. NDAA 2024 now establishes the Federal set aside goal to be 5%. That is an increased goal of an extra 2%.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

You will need to do a few preliminary things to be ready for the application process:

1. Be registered in SAM.gov and have your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and company’s bank account number handy.
2. Visit Frequently Asked Questions: FAQ – VetCert Frequently Asked Questions – VetCert KB – Confluence on the SBA website.
3. Gather the required documentation.

 ELIGIBILITY

To apply for certification or recertification as a VOSB or SDVOSB, a firm must meet the following requirements:

• Be considered a small business as defined by the size standard corresponding to at least one NAICS code listed in the business’s SAM.gov profile.
• No less than 51 percent of the business must be owned and controlled by one or more veterans.
• For certification as an SDVOSB, no less than 51 percent of the business must be owned and controlled by one or more veterans rated as service-disabled by VA.

For those veterans who are permanently and totally disabled and unable to manage the daily business operations of their business, their business may still qualify for certification as an SDVOSB if their appointed permanent caregiver is assisting in that management. Additionally, spouses who assume ownership and control of a participant company after the death of such a veteran may continue to qualify for this program.

(this information comes from the “SBA Veteran Small Business Certification fact sheet” which can be downloaded directly from https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/veteran-contracting-assistance-programs)

SDB Growth has significant experience in responding to Sources Sought Notices and they have resulted in over 30 sole-source awards. Contact SDB Growth at https://sdbgrowth.com/ for more information.